Tehan announces supports for vulnerable and disadvantaged children during COVID-19

Federal Minister for Education, Dan Tehan, has announced that the Federal government will provide an additional $5.2 million to help vulnerable and disadvantaged children during COVID-19, with a focus on inclusivity and dealing with mental health during and post the pandemic. 

Over $4 million will be provided to early childhood education and care (ECEC) services to support children with trauma-related behaviours or mental health conditions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, while more than $850,000 will be made available for additional inclusion aids, such as mobility devices, specialised inclusion toys, and communication tools to child care services through the Specialist Equipment Library.

The additional funding, Mr Tehan said, recognises that children need extra support to help them navigate the coronavirus pandemic, which he said is “taking a toll on every Australian.”

“We must continue to support each other and also the most vulnerable members of our communities, especially our children,” he added.

Parents and carers of children with additional needs will benefit from access to appropriate and inclusive ECEC services, which in turn will free them up to increase their time working, studying, or completing training, the Minister continued, emphasising the importance of children with additional needs being able to access tools and resources that will help them be more engaged with their early childhood care.

The additional funding is being provided through the $133 million Inclusion Support component of the Government’s Child Care Safety Net.

More information on the Inclusion Support Program can be found on the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website, here.